The Southern herald., 1887-10-08


caught an expression on her face which
I did not At all Ike Il was a sly. sim
ister look. but It passed swiftly away
and was replaced by one Of anxiety.
/ was the first to speak. saying:
"Well, are you in trOuble?n
'gn great trouble. sir" she replied.
Il have been living with my brother
on a small ranch about fifteen miles
distant Two hours ago a dozen Kick
apoo Indians visited the place, wound.
ed my brother, and set fire to the
house, and would have assaulted me
had not fed ON This horse. They pur.
sued inc for several miles, and / -
Here she broke down and began I'd
cry and sob What could do but ask
her 10 dismount give her my
promise Of protection. and say that
when my partner returned we would
drive straight to the ranch and sacri.
fee our lives, If need be. to rescue hel
brother and teach the Indians a lessonP
She did not come down without con.
siderable palaver, seeming to be very
sensitive about getting me into trouble,
and when she did take a seat on the
blankets prepared for her, she contin-
ued TO cry and lament and would moi
touch a mOIthful of food.
1t had grown dark by the time had
eaten my supper and il was now time
to look for Patton. sought. as any
man would have done under the cir.
cumstances, to cheer the woman mp,
and by and by she gave over crying
and seemed bit more hopeful. She
explained that she had removed to the
Territory from ClaTksville, Ark. three
years before, being q widow with one
son. The son had died within the
year. and the brother. who was an Old
bachelor. and not In good health had
come on TO remain until the place
could be sold out. A Kickapoo bncl
had taken n great fancy to the wom
an, and wanted to marry her, and hel
indignant refusal had called down th'
raid made that day. Her story filled
me with indignation, and as nigh
came on was terribly impatient fo
Patton to return. About half pas
nine o'clock / heard the gallop o
horses. and was ready to welcome m,
partner, but before they had come il
sight the widow sprang up in grea
terror and cried out:
"Oh, sir, they are the Indians whC
have been ON my trail! Don't lie
them take me away! Let me hide ii
the wagon"
In with you quick, and they vii
have to kill me before they lay hand
on you" Ireplied. and she disappeared
beneath the cover with astonishin,
relerity.
The gallop came nearer and nearer
and presently voice hailed me:
"The camp thar--hcllov'
"Who is it?"
Friends"
"Come in.
With that q half-bre and Kicka
poo came riding into camp on hors e
which had neither saddle nor blanket
Both men looked savage and sullen
and were well armed. The half bree,
could speak very good English. an,
when he had come to q halt and locke,
around, he said:
''We are after the woman who cam
into your camp couple Of hours ago.
see her horse over there"
by what authority do you demand
herp'
'.None of your business. We have
come for her, and we mean to hay,
her."
DO you mean that you will taxi
her by forceP"
Il do; and let me give you n piec
of advice. see you are tenderfoot
Don't put on too many airs in thi
county. It's a great place to hav
ones wings clipped in hurry. Don
attempt any foolishness with us, o
you'll never know what hurt you."
Ihad my Winchester in hand AM
two revolyers in my belt. Had bee
a hot-tempered man, there woul,
have been some shooting before Ii
had concluded his bombastic speech.
am slow to anger especially whe
human life may pay the forfeit and
heard him through without bein
rolled The woman was hidden ava
in the wagon, and had not reveale
her presence to them by word or moy,
If the woman chooses 10 go wit
you, well and good" | answered, as
looked the fellow over by tho light q
the camp fire. "If she does not yo
can not take her."
"Oh, we can't eh? You crow prett
loud for spring chicke n. Well, as
| INC NCuNn ~ lluht u CllUlCC.
The wagon was about ten PAGES floI
the fire. and in the shadow. althOug
not so much so that / could not see
pretty plainly. | had made step e
ward it when l saw black ObjeC
under the wheels, and, supposing it b
be wolf ! raised my gun and took
snap shot, caring only to send a bullt
near enough to drive it away. Th
object disappeared with the echoes {
the report, and as l walked along {
the wagon, the two men, who had no
dismounted, accompanied me. Stand
ing within five feet of the vehicle
called to the woman and asked if sh
desired to 60 with the men, and she re
Piled:
"Oal sir, save me from them. even
you have to shoot me. !"
"But you've got 10 comet shoute